Have you ever seen those travel stories online—the ones about flying first-class to Asia or staying in an over-the-water bungalow in the Maldives, all paid for with points?
It can feel like a secret club, impossibly out of reach.
You know your credit card earns points, but at a rate of one or two per dollar, accumulating a massive balance of 200,000+ points seems like it would take a decade of everyday spending.
What if I told you it doesn’t have to? The real secret to earning a huge number of points quickly isn’t about spending more money; it’s about being strategic.
The fastest way to build a large point balance is by earning multiple, lucrative welcome bonuses.
This guide is for those of you who have mastered the basics of responsible credit use and are ready for a more advanced strategy. I’m going to lay out a sample 12-month playbook that can help a disciplined person earn more than 200,000 valuable, flexible points—enough for that dream trip you’ve been saving pictures of.
The Ground Rules: Is This Plan Right for You?
Before we start, let’s be clear: this is an advanced strategy. It is only for you if you can check every single one of these boxes:
- ✅ You have an excellent credit score (generally 720 or higher).
- ✅ You always pay your credit card balances in full and on time, every single month.
- ✅ You are highly organized and can track spending, payment dates, and deadlines without fail.
- ✅ You are not planning to apply for a major loan (like a mortgage or auto loan) in the next 1-2 years.
If you meet these criteria, let’s proceed.
The Strategy: The Chase “Trifecta” Approach
To make our points as powerful as possible, this plan focuses on earning points within a single, flexible ecosystem: Chase Ultimate Rewards®. By pooling all your points into one account, you can make incredible redemptions. This multi-card system is often called the “Chase Trifecta.”
Your 12-Month Playbook
This plan involves opening three new cards over the course of about eight months. Pacing your applications is key to a successful strategy.
Month 1 (The Foundation): Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This is your cornerstone card. It’s the key that unlocks the ability to transfer points to high-value airline and hotel partners.
- Typical Bonus: 60,000 points after a $4,000 minimum spend in 3 months.
- Your Action: Apply for this card first. Use it for all your spending until you meet the minimum requirement.
Month 4 (The Workhorse): Apply for the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
This is the secret weapon for massive earning. Even if you’re a freelancer or have a small side hustle, you can often qualify as a sole proprietor.
- Typical Bonus: A massive 75,000 points ($750 cash back) after a $6,000 minimum spend in 3 months.
- Your Action: Apply for this card about three months after your first. Use it for its powerful 5x bonus categories (like internet and phone services) and to meet the second minimum spend requirement.
Month 8 (The Finisher): Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
This card will become your go-to for everyday, non-bonus category spending.
- Typical Bonus: 20,000 points ($200 cash back) after a $500 minimum spend in 3 months.
- Your Action: Apply for this card several months after your second. It has a low spending requirement that’s easy to meet. Once met, it becomes your catch-all card for its 1.5x points on everything.
Maya’s Insight: The most important part of a multi-card strategy isn’t the application spree—it’s the spreadsheet. I track every card’s opening date, minimum spend deadline, and annual fee due date. Organization is what separates a savvy strategist from a stressed-out spender.
The Payoff: Tallying Your 200,000+ Points
After successfully executing this plan within a year, let’s look at what you’ve earned.
- Welcome Bonuses: 60,000 (Sapphire) + 75,000 (Ink) + 20,000 (Freedom) = 155,000 points.
- Points from Spending: You spent at least $10,500 just to meet the bonuses. At a minimum of 1 point per dollar, that’s another 10,500 points.
- Points from Regular Use: Add in a year of regular spending, especially in the high-value 3x and 5x categories, and you will easily earn another 35,000+ points.
Total First-Year Earnings: ~200,000+ Ultimate Rewards® points. That’s enough for two round-trip tickets to Europe, a week at a luxury all-inclusive Hyatt resort, or multiple domestic trips.
Ready to Build Your Plan?
This is an ambitious plan, but for the right person, it’s an incredibly powerful way to jumpstart your travel dreams. Before you begin, the most important step is to understand the rules of the game, especially issuer-specific rules like Chase’s 5/24. From there, it’s all about responsible spending and organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Chase 5/24 rule?
This is Chase’s most important application rule. Generally, if you have opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, your application for a new Chase card will be denied. This is why it’s critical to prioritize Chase cards if you’re new to rewards.
Do I need a formal business to get the Ink Business Cash card?
Not necessarily. If you are a freelancer, have a side gig (like driving for Uber or selling on Etsy), or do any kind of contract work, you can apply as a sole proprietorship using your own name and Social Security Number.
Why should I start with the Sapphire Preferred card?
The Sapphire Preferred (or Sapphire Reserve) is the key to the entire Chase ecosystem. You must hold one of these cards to be able to transfer your points out to airline and hotel partners, which is how you get the highest value.
WalletAware shares education, not individualized financial advice. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying.